The accident occurred earlier this
morning on a stretch of road in Cordoba district to the northwest of Buenos
Aires, announced police commissioner Carina Ferreyra.

Emanuel
Horacio Bergoglio, the Pope’s nephew, was reportedly driving a car with his
wife Valeria Carmona, 38, and their two children, Jose, aged eight months, and
two-year-old Antonio. Reports suggest that the car collided with a truck that
was travelling ahead of them.

Vatican
spokesman Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi said “The Pope was informed about the
tragic accident. He is deeply pained.” He added that Pope Francis asked “all
who share in his grief to unite with him in prayer.”

Mr
Bergoglio is son of the Pope’s late brother, Alberto Bergoglio. He has been
hospitalised and is said to be in a serious condition.

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